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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Gerard Meagher

‘So much pain’: England and Lions wing Anthony Watson retires due to injury

Anthony Watson
Anthony Watson was told it was no longer safe to continue playing. ‘Stopping now probably allows me to do the basic things I need to do’. Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA

The England and British & Irish Lions wing Anthony Watson has retired from rugby aged 30 on medical grounds, having been advised it was no longer safe to continue playing.

Watson, who brings the curtain down with 56 caps, has been beset by injuries of late with a debilitating back problem proving the final straw. Across a career that began with London Irish in 2011, Watson has been blighted by two long-term achilles layoffs, ACL surgery, more recent calf issues and the back injury that left him in “so much pain”.

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